Ignition system.



E, g LIN flLN IGNITION SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1910 2 gums-sum 1.

. Inventor:

fittest. @x a/t 6 fmmwflfl z .Iatentmi Dec! 10, L912.

'B- S- LINCOLN- IGNITION SYSTEM.

APPLICATION P113131) MAYQ, 1910.

1,046,614. Patented Dec. 10, 1912.

EDWIN S. LINCOLN, OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS.

IGNITION Specification of A ncamn filed Ma 9, 1910. Serial No. 560,288.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I. EDWIN S. LINCOLN, citizen of the United States, residing at Brookline, in the county of Xorfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain'new and useful Improvements in'Ignition Systems, of which the following is a specification. J

1M invention relates to electrical systems adaptedto produce a high tension electricah discharge atelectrically separated spark points or electrodes, and more particularly it finds its application in electrical systems which have for their object the energization of an ignition system designed to produce an electric spark at a spark plug or similar devices. located in. the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, for the purpose of igniting a charge of explosive combustible contained in said cylinder.

My invention ismore especially designed for use in connection with ignition systems in which a sourceof electrical energy of the magneto typeis employed for the purpose of generating the electric energy by'which the ignition, system is energized.

My invention consists essentially in the use, with at" agneto-electric generator, and witlnan induction coil which is adapted tobe energized thereby, of an electrically actuated circuit breaker embodying separable contacts by whose separation in consequence of the operation of the actuating means, the

induction coil is rendered operative to produce a high tension discharge. In my invention sald generator, induction coil, and circuit b aker are electrically so arranged and interconnected that the generating circuit is normally closed through the actuating circuit of the circuit breaker when said separable contacts of the same are in interengagement. "Further, the current strength of the electric current generated by the generator and the winding turns of the actuatmg circuitare so proportioned that when the current generated by the magneto generato'r approaches a predetermined intensity, the flow of the current through said actuating circuit will serve to actuate the circuit breaker, thereby causing the said consYs'rnM.

Lett rs P en Patented Dec. 1 6,1912

is caused to energize the induction coil and to'cause the same to produce an electric discharge.

My invention is shown in two of its preferred embodiments in the accompanying drawings, in which,-

Figure 1 represents diagrammatically my Fig. 2 represents diagrammatically an ignitlon system embodying my invention. in

with the magneto to serve as an alternative source of electric energy. and showing the switch blades of the manipulating switch used in said system in one of its selective operative positions. Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view of the switch used in connection with the system shown'in Fig. 2. but indicating the connections made by the switch blades in their alternateoperative position.

Referring to said Fig. 1. 1 represents the armature of a magneto generator which is revolubly mounted and rotatably driven. by means not shown in the drawings. in a magnetic field produced by the two field magnets 2 and 3, and carries the current generating armature windings 4. An induction coil is provided preferably having a primary or energizing winding and a secondary winding 6 associated in inductive relation with the said primary winding and having its terminals electrically connected to the spark points 7 and S, which are preferably embodied in a spark plug. located engine to which the ignition system is applied. Said coil of the vibratorless type. the energizing circuit through the some not being subject to interruption by a vibrator or similar device. The circuitbreaker may be embodied in any approved form. As shown, it embodies separable C(llllIflCtSfCfif- 9 and in part on a movable armature 10 strip by which the contact carried by the same is normally held in electric engagement with that carried upon the contact screw 9. For the purpose of actuating the circuit breaker so as to cause the separation tacts't'o separate, whereupon said current of said separable contacts, preferably an invention as applied'to an ignition system which a battery is arranged in combination in the cylinder of the internal combustion ried in part -at the tip of a contact screw I which is mounted on a resilient supporting v electro-magnet 12 is provided which is located adjacent said movable armature and is adapted to magnetically attract the same when current flows through the winding of the magnet. The winding of said electromagnet is preferably of course wire and so wound as to avoid as far as possible electrical inductance which, if present would operate to retard the flow of current through the winding. Electrical connections are provided for the purpose of electrically interconnecting the winding of the said electrobranch being in electrical connection with ground 1st through the resilient strip 11 said electro-magnet.

magnet, the said induction coil, and the operative parts of the circuit breaker. Said connections are preferably arranged in the following manner: One terminal of the magneto armature winding is 13. The contact screw 9 is connected with a ground 14. One terminal of the primaiy winding 5 of the induction coil is also grounded as at 15. The second terminal of said armature winding is electrically con-.

nected, asflby a conductor 16, so as to place said winding in series with the winding of After traversing the magnet winding the circuit divides, one

and theseparable contacts carried by the armature 10 and the contact screw 9, when in their interengaged relation; and another branch being connected with ground 15 through the primary winding of the induc,

tion' coil. A condenser is .connected in shunt around the separable contacts in usual manner.

For the purpose of distinction I have hereinafter referred to-the circuit in which are included the magnet winding and the separable contacts, as an interruptible circuit, while the circuit in which is included the induction coil is termed a non-inter- .ruptible circuit, meaning thereby that the circuit by which the generator is connected in energizing relation to the induct-ion coil 1s permanently continuous at the moment of ignition andvis not designed to be subjected to interrupt-ion, as by a vibrator or other type of circuit breaker, for the purpose'of rendering the same operative to produce an igniting spark.

My invention operates nrthe following manner: The rotation of the magnet armature 1 in the magnetic field produced by the.

field magnets 2 and 3 generates current in the armature w1nd*ng t carnedthereon.

Said current flows from one terminal of said" winding into conductor 16 and traverses the electro-magnet 12. After passing through the same the current returns through boththe grounds 14: and'1'5 to the second terminal of said armature winding iby way of ground 13. Since, however, the resistance preferably grounded in any approved manner, as at" the current generated by the rotation-of said armature and with reference to the elasticity of resilient strip 11, that as the flow of cur-v rent generated in said armaturewinding 4 approaches a predetermined value the magnetic attraction produced by the flow of current through said magnet winding will overcome such elasticity and will cause said movable armature 10 to separate'from said contact screw 9. In consequence of the sudden interruption of the flow of the current throagh the circuit breaker produced as a result of the actuation of the same by the electro-magnet 12 the only course available for the current generated by said armature mary winding of the induction coil. In con-sequencesaid induction coil will be suddenly energized, the current from the magneto, owing to the non-inductive character otthe magnet winding 12 being substantially undiminished in amount by reason of its traversing thesame. high tension current Wlll be induced n the As a vresult a secondary winding of the induction coil which will cause an igniting discharge at the spark points 7 and 8. When the rotation of the magneto armature has progressed to such an extent that the generation of current has passed the predetermined value, the diminution in the magnetic attraction resulting from the decreased flow of current through winding will be that through the prithe electro-magnet 12 will enable the elasticity of strip '11 to again restore said armature 10 into its original position so that said separable contacts are again placed in interengagement. generated by the magneto will again. flow through said circuitbreaker, and the same will again operate as before described when In consequence the current the generation of current in the Tarmaturewindingt has reached the required intensity, although its direction ,of tlow' be in the opposite phase. L 7

Referringnow to Fig; g ny invention is shown in one of its preferred forms more especiallyadapted to an ignition system in which either a magneto or a'battery may be alternatively employed tosupply current for" I energizing said system. In said figure, 18 represents the revolving armature of a mag- "noto generator carrying the curernt-generat-ing arinature winding19, and revolubly driven in a magnetic field produced by magnets, not shown in the said figure. Positively driven with the said magneto annature, as by bevel gearing interconnected by shaft 20, is the rotating arm 21 of a timing device, which may be of any approved construction, said arm being adapted to engage in the course of its rotation with the timer segment 22, at the instants when ignition is to take place. As shown said arm is adapted to complete two revolutions while the armature 1S revolves once. At23 is represented the primary winding of an induction coil, the secondary winding 2-1: of the same being electrically connected to the spark points 25 and'QG, preferably carried in a spark plug of usual type. A circuit breaker is employed which preferably is substantially the same as that hereinbefore described in connection with Fig. l; the same embodying separable contacts carried in part at the tip of an adjustable contact screw 27, and in part on a movable armature 28 i which is mounted on a supporting strip 29 having a res1hency by which the contact carried on the armature 28 is normally heldin electrical engagen'ientwith that carried upon the contact screw 27. For the purpose of actuating the circuit breaker when it is desired to cause separation of the said separable contacts. an electro-magnet 30 is provided which is located adjacentsaid movable armature and which is adapted. when magnetized. to attract the same. The windings of said magnet are preferably comprised in two groups, as shown in said Fig. 2. One group is preferably composed of convolutions of low resistance wire, wound with especial reference to the elimination of inductance, while the other group 32 is of finer wire of a higher resistance. A condenser 33 is connected in any approved manner in shunt around the separable contacts embodied in the circuit breaker. At 34 is represented a battery or similar source of electric energy of any approved type. For the purpose of placing the circuit breaker and the induction coil in operative relation with respect either to the magneto or the battery, an electric switch is employed. As shown in Fig. 2 said switch is preferably-a specially modified form of the double-pole double-throw type, preferably embodying one short switch blade 35 pivoted at hinge post 36,,and another long switch blade 37 pivoted at a second hinge post 38. \Vhen said switch blades are thrown to the left as.

shown in said Fig. 2, the switch is in its magneto position. wherein the magneto is electrically connected in energizing relation with the system. In such position said switch blade 35 is in engagement with switch 5 elements comprising the hinge post 36 and l with the contact block 39; said hinge blade i tacts of the circuit breaker, into the said con- 37 being in engagement with hinge post 38 and cont-act block it). hen said switch blades 35 and 27 are swung toward the rightas indicated in Fig. 3, so as to occupy their battery position, blade 8-3 makes contact only with the hinge post 36 at which it is PiY'OtGd Switch blade 31, however, engages simultaneously with hinge post and with both contact blocks ll and When in such position the battery is connected in energizing relation with the circuit breaker and with the induction coil. The electrical apparatus and switch elements hereinbefore mentioned are electricall interconnected preferably as follows: One terminal of the armature winding 19 is grounded in any approved manner, as at T3. The second terminal of said winding is electrically connected with the hinge post 36. The timer arm 21 is also grounded, as at ll. The timer segment electrically connected with one pole of battery 3%, the other pole of said battery being connected with the contact block 42. The contact block 39 is in electrical connection with the adjustable contactscrew 27, said screw being also in electrical connection through the primary winding of the induction coil with hinge post 38. The contact block T0 is electrically connected by conductor 45, to resilient strip 29, thence through the interengaged separable contacts embodied in the circuit breaker with the contact block 39. Contact block l0 is also electrically connected through conductor with the electro-magnet 30, by a conductor 46, which branches and connects with one terminal of each of said magnet windings 31 and 32. The unengaged terminal of winding 31 is grounded, as "at 47,

'- while the unengaged terminal of winding 32 is electrically connected with contact block etl.

The modification of my invention just hereinbefore described operates in the fol-' lowing manner: Assuming that the switch is in its magneto position, its switch blades being thrown to the left, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to electrically connect hinge post 36 with contact block 39,. and hinge post 38 with contact block 40, the current generated in the armature winding 19, by the rotation switch blade 37 into hinge ,post 38; whence it will traverse the primary winding 23of the induction coil into the contact screw 21'. The balance of the current leaving conductor 46 will pass through the resilient strip 29 and through the interen 'aged separable conmagnetof will pass through said separable tact screw 27 andnniting there with such current! as may have traversed the induction coil, both will return by way of contact lock 39, switch blade 35, and hinge post 36, jack to the, armature winding. Since the resistance oti'e'red-to the How "of current through the Induction coil; is relatively high as 'comparedwith that oiieredby the oric'ujit in which the interengaged sepa-rable contac'tjs" Q of the circuit breaker are included, substantially, all. of the current generated bythe contacts, so long as they remain in engagement, and said nduction. @011 will remain practically inert. As in'thef system shown in Fig. I the winding-31 oat-said. electro magnet 30 151- 0 cpmputed with respect to the strength of the current generated by the rotation, ofjthe magneto armature and with reference tothe elasticity of resilient strip '29 that-as the how of current generated-in said armature -Winding approaches a pre determined Valueythe magnetization pro-' duced by the current flOWlI-h-I'Ollghtll magnet windingfil will-cause the separation of said movable contacts. When such'separation takes placethe only available course'tor the'current generated by-the armature Jvinding 19 is through the primary Winding "of the induction coil, In consequencesaid induction coil will he suddenly energized,

thereby inducing ahigh tension current in its secondary-winding which will cause a dis charge atthe sparkpoints 25 and 26. It Will-therefore be apparent that inthe m ag neto: position of 'the s witch the ignition system will operatesubstantially as that illustrated'in Fig, 1. Assuming now, that the-switch blades are swung'toward the rightsojthat'thmswitch is in its battery pOsltiOIi, as indicated in Fig; 3, sivitch'blade 3.7 will be seen to interconnect hinge post 38' with contact blocks 4:1, and 4:2. Switch blade 35 is entirely inoperative. -In such position it will be observed .that magneto winding 19 is disconnected from the induc; tion coil .a'ndfthe circuit breaker and the magneto-generator is inoperative.

Referring again to Fig. 2, and mind.- the changed position of -the switch blades "indicated in Fig. 3, itwill be seen that one pole of battery 34 is in connection throughcontact block 42 and switch blade .37 both withv contact block Hand hinge post 88; A part if the battery current will pass from hinge post 38' and jWill traverse the primary-winding 23 of the induction coil into contact screw2'7Q 'Th'e'nce it will pass through the-interengaged separable contacts of the, circuit breaker intothe-resilient strip 29; Ffom'here the circuit will proceed by 'way of conductor 46 through the winding 31' to; ground 47, whence the current will re- I turn byway of ground/1e to the other pole bearing in 1 of the battery through the timer, when the timerarm- 2i and timer segment 22 are in engagement. contemporaneously, with the energizatlon of the induction coil by the battery 84:, the engagement of the timer arm Qlwrith timer segment 22 will operate to place said battery in series with the magnet WlI1d1l1-g 32-; the circuit proceedingby way of switch blade-37 and contact block 41, first through magnetwinding 32, and then through winding 31 to ground 47 and back to the battery by way of ground 44 and the timer.. The magnetic attraction produced by the combined flow of current 'in both windingswill operate the circuit breaker, disengaging the separable contacts. In

consequence the circuit throu h the primary,

winding of induction C0ll' .\V1ll he suddenly interrupted and theinduc t-ion coil will operate to induce a spark at the spark points in the usual mannerl. After the interruption to the flow of current through the primary winding by the separation of the separable contacts of .thecircuit breaker, current will continue to flow through the fine magnetizing winding, the quantity of such current being, however, limited by the high resistance of. said winding, butbeing suitic ent to keep the separable contacts,apart during the continuance of the engagement of the timer armand segment. Since the magneto will generate current for operating the.

circuit breaker once in every half revolution of themagneto armature, the timer arm '21 shouldjpreferably be arranged to rotate once during each such half revolution of the magn should preferably be angularly so adjusted etc. Furthermore the said timer arm with retrence' to the magneto armature that arm, as ust described .;the instant I of, spark production is substantially the same whether the system is energized by the magneto or by the battery.

If desired a'timer timer segments may be employed, with appropriate electric connections so arranged thatthe interengagement of the revolving arm -With any one of the timer segments will operation of the spark producing instrumentalities. In such case the timcrarm should be arranged-to rotate at a rate of revolution. which is reducedin inverse proportion to the increased number of timer segments, so-that the interval between the mentof the, magneto armature and the timer having a plurality of complete the'battery circuit and effect the engagement of the timer arm with two successlve timer segments will correspond to the interval between the discharge producing positions of the magneto armature.

While I have described my invention as applied more particularly to an ignition proved type connected into the secondary circuit of the induction coil, or by using a plurality of induct-ion units in combination with a low tension distributer by which a selected induction unit may be operatively connected into the ignition system as desired. The manner of applying such distributer in either case, will be clear'to any workman familiar with ignition system installations,

and I do not deem it necessary to describe the application of the same to my system in further detail.

Having described my invention I claim,

1. An ignition system comprising in combination a enerator, an induction coil. a circuitbrca er having separable contacts and an electro-magnet for separating said contacts, a circuit connecting the generator with the coil throu h the magnet, and an interruptible circuit including said separable contacts and short circuiting said coil.

2. An ignition system comprising a generator, an induction (3011, a circuit breaker having normally contact-mg separable contacts, and an electro-magnet'for separating.

' said contacts, a non-interruptible circuit connecting the generator with the coil through the magnet, and an .interruptible rcuit including said separable contacts and inected across the terminals of said coil.

An ignition system comprising a generator, an induction coil, and a circuit breaker embodying normally contacting separable contacts and having an'electro-magnet for separating said contacts, a non-interruptible circuit including the generator, the

magnet winding and the coil, and an inter-,

ruptible circuit independent ofthe magnet connected across the terminals of the coil and having the separable contacts intercalated therein. v

4. In combination, an electric generator having a generating winding, a circuit breaker having separable contacts and embodying a magnet winding for causing'the separation of said contacts, a v bratorless induction coil having an energizing winding, an interruptible circuit normally mterconnecting the terminals of said generating windings through said ma etgclrcult and said separable contacts, an a Permanently continuous circuit, arrimged in parallel with winding, an induction coil, a circuit breaker having separable contacts and embodying a magnet having low and high resistance windings and adapted to separate said contacts, an interruptible electric circuit including said generating winding, said separable contacts, and said low resistance magnet winding, a non-interruptible electric circuit including said generating winding. and the induction coil, a source of energy, a tuner driven in synchromsm with the generatmg winding, a third electric circuit including the source of energy, the timer, said separable contacts and said induction coil. and the low resistance magnet winding, a fourth circuit including the timer, the source of energy, and the high resistance magnet wind ing, and an electric switch embodying movable conductors' adapted to' occupy two operative positions, said switch having one set of switch elements engaged by the conductors in one operative position, and a second set of switch elements engaged by the conductors in the second operative position, the first and second circuits being contemporaneously closed in one switch position through said switch conductors andthe switch elements comprised in said first set,

and .said third and fourth circuits being closed in the second switch position, through said switch conductors and the switch elements comprised in said second set.

6. In an 1gn1t1on system, in combination, an electric generator havlng a generating winding, an induction coil having a primary winding, a circuit breaker having separable contacts, and embodying an electro-magnet, having a highresistance magnet winding and a low resistance magnet winding, for

separating said contacts, an interruptible electric circuit including said generating winding, said separable, contacts, and sa d low resistance magnet winding, a non-interruptible electric circuit. including "said gen} erating .winding, the primary} winding, and

said low resistance magnet winding, :1 source I of energy, a timer driven in synchronism with the generating winding, a third elec tric circuitincluding the source of energy,

the timer, the said separable contacts, said induction coil, said low resistance magnet winding, and the timer, a fourth circuit 1n: cluding the' timer, the source of energ' and said fine magnetizing windings, and an electric switch embodyingmovable conductors adapted to occupy two operative positions, and having one set ;of:,sw1tch elements en-- gaged by the conductors'in one operative po sition, and a second set of switch elements switch elements comprised in said second set, 10 engaged by the conductors 1n the second and through said tuner.

operative position, the first and second cir- In testimom whereof I aflix mysignature cults being contelnporaneougly closed indone in presence of two witnesses.

switch osition throu h sai switch con uc- 1 T T tors ting the switch lernents comprised'in EDWVIB LIL COLL said first set, and said third and fourth" cir- "itnesses:

cuits being closed in the second switch posi- NATHAN B. DAY,

tion through said switch conductors and the t CHAS. F. RAXDALL.

Copies 0! this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.-

' Washington, D. G. 

